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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Look Ma, No See-Saws!

So I can't profess to having researched this extensively but where are all the see-saws that used to populate the City's playgrounds? I hadn't noticed their absence until repeated readings of Spot Goes to School, in which the title character at recess goes so high on a see-saw he is obscured by a tree, made me think that I hadn't seen one in a while.

Have they just gone out of style? Are they just so incredibly dangerous that there is no way of salvaging the fun of the ride, because of the mortal danger it offers? Is there more pleasure to be found in other ways?

There is quite a lot of thought being devoted these days to playground design in New York City. Several months ago, the New York Times published an interesting piece a few months ago about a new proposed downtown playground to be designed by David Rockwell, who has done some pretty interesting work lately.

But where are the see-saws? What has become of them? Is this just a New York extinction or is the extinction more widespread?

posted by Elise at 5:17 AM

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3 Comments:

lisa said...

It is because they are so incredibly dangerous. Or rather because parents are so incredibly dangerous, what with the suing over every split lip or bonked head. It's nearly impossible to find a see-saw anywhere in the country, from what I understand. Pathetic.

5/03/2007 8:38 PM

Elise said...

And are they so much more dangerous than swings or junglegyms or any other the other pieces of equipment? I just wonder why the line gets drawn at see-saws.

5/04/2007 11:36 AM

Tolman said...

There's a couple down here in NC, but they tend to be at the older, more run-down parks. I'd never thought about it because I don't enjoy them that much since my kids aren't the same weight and I have to help them a lot when they use see-saws.

Elizabeth

5/08/2007 8:16 AM

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